JP2001185874A - Electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus which is capable of easily discriminating between an accessible card medium and an inaccessible card medium and allows the card medium to be inserted in the other loader even if a card is inserted in are loader. SOLUTION: A digital camera has corresponding openings OPa, OPb at the side respectively to card slots 18a, 18b, and a slot cover 121 large enough to cover both openings OPa, OPb is movable between positions a, b to selectively expose the opening of either card slot. An internal CPU is accessible to the card medium loaded in the closed card slot but inaccessible to the card medium loaded in the open card slot, and a card medium can be inserted in/ removed in the open card slot.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device for realizing a predetermined function using electronic data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, some electronic devices on the market are equipped with a card slot which is two media loading units. For example, in some digital cameras, two recording cards can be inserted into two card slots, and at the time of photographing, photographed image data can be recorded on the recording cards. To remove the recording card in this digital camera, first open the lid provided in the card slot,
Next, the recording card is taken out after the lock is released. When the lock is released, access to the recording card from the digital camera is forcibly stopped by the detection of the sensor. Here, the lid is common to both card slots, and switches between an open state for both card slots and a closed state for both card slots. Further, the lock is such that one lock member for two cards is used to lock and unlock both of the two card slots in common.

[0003]

The problem with the electronic device having the above-mentioned configuration is that: 1.2 of the two recording cards, the recording card which is not accessed, and the recording card which is accessed. It's hard to tell if it's a card.

[0004] 2. Both the accessed card and the non-accessed card are locked in common, so that only the unaccessed card cannot be taken out.

[0005] 3. When a card is inserted into one of the card slots, both card slots are locked, so that another card cannot be inserted into the other card slot unless the card is unlocked.

[0006] There was such a problem.

[0007] The present invention is intended to overcome the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and has a configuration in which a plurality of card-type media can be used. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device configured such that an operator can easily attach and detach a card-type medium to and from another medium loading section even in an inserted state, for an operator.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is an electronic device which realizes a predetermined function using electronic data, wherein the electronic device can be reached from outside. A plurality of medium loading portions capable of loading a card-type medium through each of the plurality of openings arranged in the plurality of openings, the plurality of openings being movable in an arrangement direction of the opening arrangement including the plurality of openings, and And a lid for selectively exposing at least one of them.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a detecting means for detecting the position of the lid.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the electronic device is further loaded in the medium loading portion of the plurality of medium loading portions where the opening is exposed. Selective ejection means for selectively ejecting the card-type medium.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the selective ejection means instructs ejection of the card type medium loaded in the plurality of medium loading sections. Indicating means, and a plurality of ejection mechanisms provided corresponding to the plurality of medium loading units, and for ejecting card-type media loaded in each of the plurality of medium loading units,
In response to the instruction of the ejection instruction means, the medium loading section having the opening exposed is determined based on the position of the lid detected by the detection means, and the ejection corresponding to the medium loading section is determined. Control means for operating the mechanism.

In the first and fourth aspects,
When the lid is “movable in the arrangement direction of the opening arrangement (opening region)”, the lid is provided in the middle of the arrangement of the openings as in the third embodiment described below, in addition to the configuration capable of sliding along the arrangement direction. A configuration in which the lid moves in the arrangement direction as a result of rotating the rotary lid is also included.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<1. First Embodiment >><< 1-1. Overall Configuration >> FIGS. 1 and 2 show digital cameras 1A (1B, 1C, 1) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
1D, 1E, and 1F) are perspective views showing the external configuration of FIG.
2 is a perspective view from the front side, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the front side in a state where the imaging optical unit is housed in the camera body. Also,
FIG. 3 shows a digital camera 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a perspective view from the back side which shows the external structure of A. The digital camera 1A has a structure roughly divided into a substantially cylindrical imaging optical unit 3 and a substantially rectangular parallelepiped camera body 10.

The imaging optical section 3 includes a photographic lens 31 and a lens barrel 30 for holding the photographic lens 31.
The lens barrel 30 is configured to protrude and retract from the camera body 10. When the lens barrel 30 is collapsed, the lens barrier 909 closes and covers the taking lens 31.

An AF unit 5 for automatic focus detection (hereinafter, referred to as AF) is provided on an upper front portion of the camera body 10.
And a flash 6.

The camera body 10 has a release button 7, a mode changeover switch 8, a self-photographing setting switch 9, and a display 17 on its upper surface.

When the release button 7 is half-pressed, the switch S
W1 is an operation member that is turned on (preparation for photographing) and fully pressed to turn on (release) the switch SW2. The mode switch 8 switches between “OFF”, “recording”, and “playback” modes. The self-shooting setting switch 9 switches between normal shooting and self-timer shooting each time the switch is pressed. The display 17 is composed of, for example, an LCD or the like, and displays photographing data, self-timer photographing settings, frame numbers at the time of photographing, and other setting mode contents.

Further, the camera body 10 is provided with the openings OPa and OPb arranged on one side surface which is a portion that can be reached from the outside, that is, in a state where the opening arrangement is formed. Two card slots 18a and 18b are provided for each of OPb. Each of the card slots 18a and 18b has an opening OP as an insertion opening formed in a slit shape.
The card type medium 112 such as an external recording medium (hereinafter referred to as a memory card) or a modem card is inserted into the camera body 10 through a and OPb for use.
That is, the digital camera 1A is a card type medium 11
2 can be inserted into the card slots 18a and 18b to extend the function. Also, the slot cover 12 covers the card slots 18a and 18b.
1 is provided. The card slots 18a, 1
8b and the configuration of the slot cover 121 will be described later in detail.

Further, the camera body 10 is provided with zoom buttons 14 and 15 and a focus indication lamp 907 on the back.

As for the zoom buttons 14 and 15, when the zoom button 14 is pressed, the taking lens 31 is driven to the wide side, and when the zoom button 15 is pressed, the taking lens 31 is driven to the telephoto side. The zoom buttons 14 and 15 are also access buttons for calling image data recorded on the memory card at the time of reproduction. Each time the zoom button 14 is accessed, the recorded image is sequentially forwarded (UP), and each time the zoom button 15 is accessed. Reverse feed (DOWN) is performed.

The focus indicator lamp 907 is pressed halfway down the release button 7 during photographing (switch SW to be described later).
When 1 is on), the light is turned on when the photographing preparation operation is completed, and blinks when the subject cannot be photographed at a close distance or when the flash is charged to notify the photographer.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the digital camera 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The digital camera 1A has a system controller (hereinafter, referred to as a controller) for controlling the operation of the entire digital camera.
CPU 100). This CPU 100
Executes various functions by executing predetermined software.

A subject image formed through the photographing lens 31 is a solid-state image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 101.
The output image signal of the CCD 101 is processed by the signal processing unit 102. The driving of the photographing lens 31 is controlled by the lens driving unit 103 so as to be in focus on the basis of the distance measurement result. Distance measuring unit 104
Is used to determine the distance to the subject by using, for example, a phase difference detection method. The driving amount of the photographing lens 31 by the lens driving unit 103 is calculated from the distance measurement data. The lens driving unit 103 includes the photographing lens 31
The lens barrel 30 holding the lens, the lens barrier 909
It also drives the opening and closing of. The photometric unit 105 measures the luminance of the subject and outputs photometric data to the CPU 100. The exposure control unit 106 controls exposure of the digital camera 1A by receiving data of an exposure time (shutter speed) Tv and an aperture value Av from the CPU 100 obtained based on a result of distance measurement and photometry.

The flash unit 108 is controlled by a boosting control and a light emission control signal for charging from the CPU 100, and emits light from the flash 6.

The recording section 111 is a data recording section fixedly provided in the digital camera 1A. At the time of photographing, photographed image data subjected to predetermined image processing in the signal processing unit 102 is recorded in the recording unit 111.

The card type medium 112 is a card type medium such as a recording medium which is detachable from the camera body 10 and handles image data (electronic data). Then, the I / F units 113a, 113 provided in the card slots 18a, 18b
13b, the card-type medium 11 loaded in them
Data transfer can be performed between one of the CPUs 2 and 112 and the CPU 100. When transferring the photographed image data recorded in the recording unit 111 to a personal computer or the like, the data is temporarily transferred to a memory card serving as the card-type medium 112 and read out by the personal computer.

The cover position sensor 110 is a sensor,
The intensity signal of the light receiving element is transmitted to the CPU 100. Thus, the CPU 100 can detect the position of the slot cover 121. The details will be described later.

Next, the functions of the switches SOFF to SSELF will be sequentially described below.

SOFF: The mode switch 8 is set to "OF"
It turns on when it is at the position "F", and makes the digital camera 1A inoperative.

SREC: Mode switch 8 is "record"
Is turned on when the camera is at the position, and the digital camera 1A can shoot.

SREP: Mode switch 8 is "play"
Is turned on when the camera is at the position, and the recorded image can be reproduced on the LCD 905.

S1: At the time of photographing, the release button 7 is turned on by one-step pressing (half pressing) to instruct preparation for photographing.

S2: During shooting, the release button 7 is turned on by pressing the release button 7 two steps (fully pressed) to instruct exposure.

[SUP]: Turns on every time the zoom button 15 is pressed, and performs sequential playback of recorded images.

SDOWN: Turns on each time the zoom button 14 is pressed, and performs reverse playback of the recorded image.

SCARD: Turns on when a memory card is inserted.

SSelf: Each time the self-photographing setting switch 9 is pressed, it is turned on by switching between normal photographing and self-timer photographing.

<< 1-2. Main Part >> Hereinafter, the main part of the digital camera 1A will be described. FIG. 5 shows a slot cover 1 in the digital camera 1A according to the first embodiment.
5 and FIG.
5A illustrates a state in which the slot cover 121 has moved to the right (positive side of the X axis), and FIG. 5B illustrates a state in which the slot cover 121 has moved to the left (negative side of the X axis).

As shown in FIG. 5, the slot cover 121
Is a size that covers the entire openings OPa and OPb connected to the two card slots 18a and 18b, respectively.
One card slot 18a (18b) almost in the center
An opening 121a having a size and a shape substantially equal to the opening OPa (OPb) is provided. The camera body 1
0 is provided with a guide groove 10a on the surface on which the slot cover 121 is provided.
A slide guide 121 is provided on the surface of the camera body 10 on the side of the camera body 10.
b (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The slide guide 121b is loosely fitted in the guide groove 10a and is slidable along the guide groove 10a.
The slot cover 121 is slidable (movable) in the positive / negative X-axis direction, which is the direction in which the openings OPa and OPb are arranged, as indicated by an arrow A1.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the slot cover 121 is moved to the negative side of the X axis, the opening 121 is located at a position substantially overlapping with the opening OPa of the card slot 18a.
a is located. Hereinafter, the position of the slot cover 121 is referred to as a first position.

As shown in FIG. 5A, when the slot cover 121 is moved to the X axis positive side, the opening 121a is located at a position substantially overlapping the opening OPb of the card slot 18b.
Is located. Hereinafter, the position of the slot cover 121 is referred to as a second position.

As will be described later, the slot cover 121 does not stop at a position other than the first position and the second position.

The card slot 1 of the camera body 10
A cover position sensor 110 is provided at a position always covered by the slot cover 121 near 8a and 18b. The cover position sensor 110 includes a pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element (not shown). When the slot cover 121 is located at the first position and the second position, the portions of the back surface (the surface on the camera body 10 side) of the slot cover 121 corresponding to the cover position sensor 110 have high reflection of light from the light emitting element. The ratio (for example, white or silver) and the low reflectance (for example, black) are separately applied. Then, the light receiving element receives the reflected light of the emitted light by the slot cover 121 and sends the intensity signal to the CPU 100. Thereby, the CPU 100 can detect whether the position of the slot cover is the first position or the second position from the intensity signal.

FIG. 6 is a partial bottom view of the digital camera 1A according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the slot cover 121 is connected to a guide plate 122 that slides (moves) on the bottom surface of the camera body 10. In other words, the slot cover 121 and the guide plate 122 form a slide member 120 integrally. Thus, the slide member 120 as a whole is movable left and right (positive and negative directions of the X axis) as indicated by an arrow A2. Also, the guide plate 12
2 is provided with an eject button 123.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of the digital camera 1A showing the relationship between the eject button 123 and the card slots 18a and 18b. Card slots 18a, 18
b has an eject lever 131 for ejecting the card-type medium 112 loaded therein.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the card slot 18.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are partial cross-sectional views illustrating the ejecting mechanism of FIGS.
FIG. 8 is a view showing a state where the card-type medium 112 is loaded, and FIG. 9 is a view showing a state where the card-type medium 112 is discharged. As shown in FIG. 8, the eject button 123 includes a contact portion 123a and a button portion 123b, and the contact portion 123a and the button portion 123b are connected to each other perpendicularly, and the YZ section has an L-shaped cross section. It is a member. The contact portion 123a is provided inside the camera body 10 of the digital camera 1A, and the button portion 123b is provided on the bottom surface of the camera body 10 so as to be exposed to the outside from the guide plate 122. The contact portion 123a is formed so as to contact one end of the eject lever 131 inside.

In FIG. 7, as described above, the guide plate 122 moves as shown by the arrow A3 in conjunction with the slot cover 121, and accordingly, the contact portion 123a of the eject button 123 moves to the card slot 18a or 18b. Of the eject lever 131 is switched.

As shown in FIG. 6, the eject button 123 is moved along an elongated guide hole 122a provided substantially at the center of the guide plate 122 so that the longitudinal direction is in the Y-axis direction. When the card-type medium 112 is loaded in the card slots 18a and 18b, the guide hole 122a is located at the negative end of the guide hole 122a in the Y-axis direction. When the user pushes the eject button 123 in the positive direction of the Y-axis from that state, the eject button 123 moves to the positive side end of the guide hole 122a in the Y-axis direction to be in a state shown in FIG. At this time, the pressing force applied to the eject button 123 is
a to the eject lever 131, and further applied to the Z-axis negative side end 133 a of the discharge lever 133 via the driving force transmission member 132. The ejection lever 133 is rotatably provided around a rotation shaft 134 in the X-axis direction, and a card pressing member 135 is provided at the other end of the Z-axis positive end 133b of the ejection lever. Therefore, the pressing force of the eject button 123 applied to the Z-axis negative side end 133a of the ejection lever 133 moves the card pressing member 135 to the negative side in the Y-axis direction by the rotation of the ejection lever 133, and the card is stored. The card-type medium 112 is moved in the direction of arrow A5 (Y-axis negative) in FIG.
Can be ejected from the card slot 18a or 18b.

As shown in FIG. 5, the eject button 123 is provided at a position corresponding to the opening 121a of the slot cover 121 of the guide plate 122. for that reason,
In the digital camera 1A, when the eject button 123 is pressed, only the card type medium 112 loaded in the card slot 18a or 18b exposed from the opening 121a of the slot cover 121 can be selectively discharged. I have.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an internal structure for positioning the slot cover 121. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, a snap spring 141 is provided on the bottom inside the camera body 10 of the digital camera 1A. Both ends of the snap spring 141 are rotatably attached to a body shaft 10b provided on the camera body 10 and a cover shaft 121c provided on the slot cover 121, respectively.

The cover shaft 121c is connected to the camera body 10
Is movable along the guide hole 10c provided in the guide hole 10c, and moves in the direction of the arrow A6 (X-axis positive / negative) as the slot cover 121 moves. The snap spring 141 urges both ends of the snap spring 141 away from each other. Therefore, as shown below, the cover shaft 121c stops only at both ends of the guide hole 10c, and does not stop halfway.

FIG. 11 shows the snap spring 141 when the slot cover 121 is opened and closed. FIG.
FIG. 10A shows a state in which the cover shaft 121c is located at the X-axis positive end of the guide hole 10c as shown in FIG. 10, whereby the slot cover 121 is located at the first position (FIG. 5A). , The opening OPa of the card slot 18a is exposed. When the user moves the slot cover 121 in the negative X-axis direction (see FIG. 5) to expose (open) the opening OPb of the card slot 18b from this state, the cover shaft 121c also moves in the guide hole 10c in the X-axis direction. Move in the negative direction. At this time, if the user releases his hand at an intermediate position, a force for returning in the X-axis positive direction by the bias of the snap spring 141 until the cover shaft 121c reaches the center of the guide hole 10c as shown in FIG. 11B. 11 (a), that is, the slot cover 1
21 returns to the first position.

However, when the snap spring 14 is further moved in the negative direction of the X-axis past the state shown in FIG.
When the user releases his hand on the way, the cover shaft 1 is turned off as shown in FIG. 11 (c).
21c is located at the X axis negative side end of the guide hole 10c,
That is, the slot cover 121 is in the second position (FIG. 5).
(B)). Thus, the snap spring 14
When the biasing direction of the first cover shaft 121c changes from the positive direction of the X axis to the negative direction of the X axis from the state of FIG. 11B, the cover shaft 121c is constantly biased in the positive or negative direction of the X axis. As a result, the slot cover 1
Reference numeral 21 does not stop at a position other than the first position and the second position.

With the above configuration, FIG.
As shown in (b), in this digital camera 1A, openings OPa and OPb of two card slots 18a and 18b are provided.
Can be selectively exposed. As described above, the position of the slot cover 121 is always grasped by the CPU 100 by the cover position sensor 110, and accordingly, the CPU 100 accesses the card type medium 112 loaded in the card slot having the exposed opening. Is controlled to prohibit. vice versa,
Only the card-type medium 112 loaded in the card slot covered by the slot cover 121 can be accessed by itself.

As described above, since only the card-type medium 112 loaded in the card slot with the opening exposed can be ejected, the user can use only the card slot with the opening exposed. Mold medium 112
The card type medium 112 cannot be attached to or detached from a card slot whose opening is not exposed. Therefore, if the user mistakenly
By removing the card-type medium 112 being accessed by the PU 100, the card-type medium 112 and the hardware and software of the digital camera 1A are not destroyed, and the digital camera 1A is a safe digital camera.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the slot cover 121 can be moved in the arrangement direction of the openings OPa and OPb of the card slots 18a and 18b as a plurality of medium loading portions. And a slot cover 121 as a lid for selectively exposing one of the plurality of openings OPa and OPb.
The card-type medium 112 loaded in the card slot whose opening is covered is used as a CP of the digital camera 1A as an electronic device.
U100 can be accessed, and the CPU 100 of the digital camera 1A cannot access the card-type medium 112 loaded in the card slot whose opening is exposed,
Card type medium 11 accessible by digital camera 1A
2 and the inaccessible card-type medium 112 can be easily identified, and the card-type medium 112 in the card slot whose opening is exposed has the CP of the digital camera 1A.
Since the U100 is inaccessible, the card-type medium 112 can be attached to and detached from the card slot.

Further, a plurality of card slots 18a, 18
b, an eject button 123 and an eject lever 13 as selective ejection means for selectively ejecting the card-type medium 112 loaded in the card slot with the opening exposed.
1. Since an ejection mechanism including the driving force transmission member 132, the ejection lever 133, the rotating shaft 134, and the card pressing member 135 is provided, it is possible to eject only the card-type medium 112 loaded in the card slot whose opening is exposed. By making the card type medium 112 inaccessible to the CPU 100 of the digital camera 1A, it is possible to prevent the card type medium 112 being accessed from being erroneously ejected, thereby destroying hardware and software. Safe without any.

<2. Second Embodiment> FIG. 12 is a view showing the movement of a slot cover in a digital camera 1B (see FIGS. 1 and 2) according to a second embodiment.
12A shows a state in which the slot cover has moved to the X axis negative side, and FIG. 12B shows a state in which the slot cover has moved to the X axis positive side.

The openings OPa and OPb (forming the arrangement of openings) of the digital camera 1B according to the second embodiment are formed on the side of the camera body 10 which is a portion that can be reached from the outside similarly to the openings OPa and OPb in the first embodiment. Is provided.
The slot cover 201 of the digital camera 1B
Like the slot cover 121 in the first embodiment,
It has a rectangular shape large enough to cover one of the openings OPa and OPb. Although not shown, a slide mechanism similar to the guide groove 10a and the slide guide 121b in the first embodiment is provided, and the slide mechanism is slidable (movable) in the X-axis positive / negative direction, which is the arrangement direction of the openings OPa and OPb. . The operation is the same as that of the slot cover 121 in the first embodiment. Similarly, the card slots 18a and 18b are provided inside the camera body 10 corresponding to the openings OPa and OPb.

However, the slot cover 201 according to the second embodiment is the same as the eject button 12 according to the first embodiment.
An eject switch 202 which is an electric switch instead of the slot cover 201 is a slot cover 201 on the side of the camera body 10.
Is provided at an upper position. Therefore, the eject switch 202 does not move together with the slot cover 201.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the operation of the cover position detection switch 203 in the digital camera 1B according to the second embodiment. Cover position detection switch 203
Are the cover contacts 20 provided on the slot cover 201.
3a and a main body contact 203b fixed to the camera main body 10 by a holding mechanism (not shown), and is switched between a state where the cover contact 203a and the main body contact 203b are conducted and a state where the cover contact 203b is disconnected.

Thus, the position of the slot cover 201 (the position shown in FIG. 12A or the position shown in FIG. 12B) can be detected.

The control of access to the card type medium 112 loaded in each of the card slots 18a and 18b by the CPU 100 is the same as in the first embodiment. That is, as described above, the CPU 100 always keeps track of the position of the slot cover 201 by the cover position detection switch 203, and the CPU 100 prohibits its own access to the card type medium 112 loaded in the card slot whose opening is exposed. Such control is performed. Conversely, slot cover 2
Only the card slot covered by 01 can be accessed by itself.

FIG. 14 is a view showing an ejection mechanism according to the second embodiment. As shown, an eject lever 204 similar to the eject lever 131 of the first embodiment is shown.
Racks 2041 are provided on the side surfaces of a and 204b, respectively. Motors 205a and 205b are provided corresponding to the card slots 18a and 18b, respectively. 20
5b is linked to each drive shaft 2051. The motors 205a and 205b are connected to the CPU 100, respectively.
Operate individually under the control of. Therefore, as described later, the CPU 100 selectively operates the motor 205a or 20a.
By driving 5b, the card-type medium 112 loaded in the card slot 18a or 18b can be selectively ejected.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a digital camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The internal configuration of the digital camera 1B according to the second embodiment is basically the same as that of the digital camera 1A according to the first embodiment. However, the second embodiment does not include a cover position detection sensor, and Switch 202, motors 205a, 205 electrically connected to
b, a cover position detection switch 203 is provided,
The operation of the ejection mechanism is controlled by U100 as follows.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a control procedure of the removal processing of the card type medium 112.

First, the CPU 100 detects and determines the position of the slot cover 201 based on a signal from the cover position detection switch 203 (step S1). If it is determined that the slot cover 201 is located at a position (FIG. 12A) where the opening OPa of the card slot 18a (the card-type medium 112 stored therein) is exposed, the motor 205a
Is driven to eject the card-type medium 112 stored in the card slot 18a (step S2). Conversely, if it is determined in step S1 that the slot cover 201 is at a position (FIG. 12B) where the opening OPb of the card slot 18b (the card-type medium 112 stored therein) is exposed, the motor 205b is turned off. The card type medium 112 stored in the card slot 18b is ejected by driving (step S3).

As described above, in the second embodiment, the card slot whose opening is exposed is electrically sensed, and the card type medium 112 stored therein can be selectively discharged. As described above, the card-type medium 112 loaded in the card slot whose opening is exposed has C
Since the PU 100 is inaccessible, the CPU 100
100 does not eject the card-type medium 112 being accessed.

The configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the guide plate is not provided and the positioning mechanism by the snap spring is not provided.

According to the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, the second embodiment has the same effects as the first embodiment, and also has a cover position detecting switch as a detecting means for detecting the position of the slot cover 201 as a lid. CPU of the digital camera 1B as an electronic device because of having the CPU 203
The digital camera 1B cannot access the card-type medium 112 inserted into the card slot, and the CPU 100 can access the card-type medium 11 loaded in the card slot.
It is safe without destruction of hardware or software due to accidental ejection of 2.

Also, in response to an instruction from an eject switch 202 as a discharge instruction means, a card slot having an exposed opening is determined based on the position of the slot cover 201 detected by the cover position detection switch 203, and
Eject levers 204a and 204b as ejection mechanisms corresponding to the card slot, driving force transmitting member 13
2. Ejection lever 133, rotating shaft 134, card pressing member 135, motors 205a, 205b, gears 206a, 2
Since the eject mechanism composed of 07a, 206b, and 207b is operated, it is not necessary to provide the eject switch 202 corresponding to each of the plurality of card slots, so that the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

<3. Third Embodiment> FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the movement of a slot cover 301 in a digital camera 1C (see FIGS. 1 and 2) according to a third embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 17, also in the digital camera 1C according to the third embodiment, openings OPa and OPb are formed on the side of the camera body 10.
(Forming an array of openings) and correspondingly providing card slots 18a and 18b therein as in the first and second embodiments, except that the slot cover 301 is not a sliding type but a hinge. The pivotal cover 301a is provided between the opening OPa of the card slot 18a and the opening OPb of the card slot 18b so as to be rotatable around the Z-axis direction.

That is, as shown in FIG. 17A, the slot cover 301 is located on the X axis negative side,
The state where the opening OPa of the card slot 8b is covered can be switched between the state where the opening OPa of the card slot 8a is covered and the state where the slot cover 301 is located on the positive side of the X axis and covers the opening OPb of the card slot 18b as shown in FIG. FIG. 17B shows the state in the middle of switching between FIG. 17A and FIG. 17C, that is, opening the slot cover 301 from the state of FIG. 17A or FIG. By rotating the slot cover 301, the slot cover 301 is perpendicular to the camera body 10 (parallel to the YZ plane). Thus, the slot cover 301 in the third embodiment also
As a result of the rotation, the apertures OPa and OPb can be moved in the X-axis positive / negative direction, which is the arrangement direction.

As best shown in FIG. 17B, two cover position sensors 110 similar to those in the first embodiment are provided on both sides of the slot cover 301. Both cover position sensors 110 are push-in switches, respectively.
In the CPU 100, the slot cover 301 is shown in FIG.
17 (c) and FIG. 17 (c). Further, a lock mechanism (not shown) is provided so that the cover is fixed in each state of FIGS.

A second cover is provided above the slot cover 301.
The eject switch 202 similar to the embodiment is the CPU 1
00, and both card slots 18a, 1 in the camera body 10 (not shown).
8b is provided with an ejection mechanism including two motors similar to the second embodiment. Note that these motors are connected to the CPU 100 as in the second embodiment.
Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

With this configuration, as in the second embodiment, when the user presses the eject switch 202, the CPU 100 detects the position of the slot cover 301, and the card slot 18a or 18 having the opening exposed.
One of the motors is controlled so as to eject the card-type medium 112 stored in b.

According to the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained according to the third embodiment.

<4. Fourth Embodiment> FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the movement of a slot cover 401 in a digital camera 1D (see FIGS. 1 and 2) according to a fourth embodiment.
The digital camera 1D according to the fourth embodiment has openings OPa, O in the first embodiment on the side and inside of the camera body 10.
Pb and their corresponding card slots 18a, 1
8b, three openings OPa, OPb, OPc having the same configuration as that of FIG.
(Forming an opening arrangement) and corresponding card slots 18a, 18b, 18c. Correspondingly, the slot cover 401 has openings OPa, O corresponding to the three card slots 18a, 18b, 18c.
It is large enough to cover all Pb and OPc,
At the center of the slot cover 401, an opening 401a having a size substantially equal to the opening of one card slot is provided, and the slot cover 401 is of a sliding type.
As in the second embodiment, it is slidable (movable) in the positive and negative directions of the X axis, which is the arrangement direction of the openings OPa and OPb. Therefore, although not shown, the digital camera 1D also has a slide mechanism similar to the slide mechanism of the slot cover in the first embodiment, and FIG.
As shown in (c), the opening 401a of the slot cover 401 has the respective card slots 18a, 18b, 18c.
c can be moved to a position substantially overlapping any one of the openings OPa, OPb, OPc. That is, a state where the slot cover 401 is located on the negative side of the X axis (FIG. 18).
(A)), a state where the slot cover 401 is located at the center (FIG. 18 (b)), and a state where the slot cover 401 is located on the X axis positive side (FIG. 18 (c)). Has become.

An eject switch 202 similar to that of the second embodiment is provided above the slot cover 401 on the side of the camera body 10.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the operation of the cover position detection switch 402 in the digital camera 1D according to the fourth embodiment. The digital camera 1D according to the fourth embodiment includes a cover position detection switch 402 for detecting the position of the slot cover 401, similarly to the digital camera 1B according to the second embodiment. The cover position detection switch 402 has a cover contact 402a and a body contact 402b, 40 having the same structure as the cover contact 203a and the body contact 203b in the second embodiment.
2c. However, the provision of two body contacts corresponds to the fourth embodiment in which the slot cover 401 stops at the three positions shown in FIGS. 18A to 18C as described above. are doing. That is, the main body contact 402a and the main body contact 402b are
01 is provided at a predetermined interval in the movement direction (X-axis direction), and when the slot cover 401 is located on the negative side of the X-axis (FIG. 18A), the cover contact 402a and the main body contact 402b are connected. When the slot cover 401 is electrically connected and the slot cover 401 is positioned at the center (FIG. 18B), the cover contact 402
a does not conduct with any of the body contacts, and the slot cover 4
When 01 is located on the positive side of the X-axis (FIG. 18C), the cover contact 402a conducts with the main body contact 402c. Thereby, the CPU 100 can detect the position of the slot cover 401 based on the conduction state of the main body contacts 402a and 402b.

Further, each of the card slots 18a, 18b, 18c of the digital camera 1D has an ejection mechanism provided with a motor similarly to the ejection mechanism in the second embodiment, and the user operates the ejection switch 202. When pressed, the CPU 100 drives the motor provided in the eject mechanism of any of the exposed card slots based on the detected position of the slot cover 401 as in the second embodiment, and the card type stored in the card slot is driven. The medium 112 is selectively discharged. The other configuration is the same as that of the second embodiment.

According to the fourth embodiment, the three card slots 18a, 18b, 1
8c has the same effect as the second embodiment.

<5. Fifth Embodiment> FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the movement of a slot cover 501 in a digital camera 1E (see FIGS. 1 and 2) according to a fifth embodiment.
In the digital camera 1E, as in the fourth embodiment, three openings OPa, OPb, OPc (forming an arrangement of openings) and card slots 18a, 18b, 18c corresponding thereto.
It has.

The size of the slot cover 501 is also the same as that of the fourth embodiment in the three openings OPa, OPb, OPc.
It is of a size that covers the entirety, and is a slide type provided with a slide mechanism similar to that of the first embodiment.
Similarly, it is possible to slide (move) in the X-axis positive / negative direction which is the arrangement direction of OPb.
01 has a size substantially overlapping with the openings of two adjacent card slots, and the card slot 18a of the three openings OPa, OPb, and OPc.
OPa and OPb corresponding to card slots 18b and 18b or openings OP corresponding to card slots 18b and 18c
b and OPc can be selectively exposed.

As in the first embodiment, a guide plate (not shown) connected to the slot cover 501 is provided on the bottom surface of the camera body 10 so as to be movable in the positive and negative X-axis directions together with the slot cover 501.
01 can expose the openings corresponding to the two card slots, and the slot cover 5
Two eject buttons 123 similar to those in the first embodiment are provided at positions corresponding to the openings 501a of the “01”. Accordingly, the card slots 18a, 18b, 1
8c has the same ejection mechanism as the first embodiment. As a result, the user presses one or both of the two eject buttons 123 to insert the card-type medium 1 loaded in the two card slots exposed.
Either or both of the twelve can be drained.
The other configuration is the same as that of the fourth embodiment.

As can be seen from FIG. 20, in the digital camera 1E, the opening OPb of the central card slot 18b is always exposed. The card-type medium 1 loaded in the central card slot 18b
Numeral 12 always supplies power regardless of the position of the slot cover 501, and controls the CPU 100 to always be accessible. In addition, about the card slots 18a and 18c,
As in the first to fourth embodiments, when the openings OPa and OPc are exposed, the CPU 100 controls access to the card type medium 112 loaded in the card slot to be impossible, and conversely is covered. At times, the CPU 100 controls the CPU 100 to access the card-type medium 112 loaded in the card slot.

A card-type medium 112 such as a modem card having a cable and having a portion protruding from an opening of the card slot in a state of being loaded into the card slot.
When the card type medium 112 is used, the card-type medium 112 having a portion protruding from the opening of the card slot can be used by loading the card into the central card slot 18b.
The operability is good because the slot cover 501 can be moved while such a card-type medium 112 is loaded.

According to the fifth embodiment, the card slots 18a and 18c have the same advantages as those of the fourth embodiment because of the above configuration.

The opening 501 of the slot cover 501
Since “a” has the size of the openings of the two card slots, the card-type medium 112 can be attached and detached without moving the slot cover 501 to two of the three card slots, and the operability is good. .

<6. Modifications> In the above embodiments, examples of electronic devices have been described, but the present invention is not limited to these.

In each of the above embodiments, the slot cover is a CP.
Although the entirety of the at least one card slot accessible by U is covered, a part of the opening of the card slot may be covered to the extent that the accessible card cannot be removed. FIG. 21 is a view showing a modification of the slot cover. As shown in FIG. 21, the opening 901a of the slot cover 901 has cutouts 90 in the positive and negative directions of the X axis.
1aa and 901ab are provided. Thereby, the opening OPa of the card slot 18a is opened in a state where the projecting portion P of the cable or the like in the accessible and immovable modem card MC loaded in the card slot 18a is exposed to the outside through the notch N1. In addition to the cover, the slot cover 901 can be moved as shown by the arrow A6 in this state.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the card-type medium loaded in the card slot with the opening (opening area) exposed is controlled to be inaccessible.
Access control may be performed. In such a case, a card-type medium having a portion protruding from an opening (opening area) of a card slot such as a cable of a modem card or the like should be used by being loaded into the card slot where the opening (opening area) is exposed. Can be. Furthermore, such a control method and the control methods in the first to fourth embodiments may be selectable by a user.

In the above-described embodiment, the opening is provided on the side of the camera body as a part that can be reached from the outside. Included in the technical scope.

In the above-described embodiment, two or three memory card slots having the same configuration are provided as the medium loading section, and the same type of memory card is inserted and used in each. Memory cards (eg, CompactFlash and SmartMedia)
May be provided with a card slot and a card reading mechanism which are different in size and length of the insertion slot so that the card reader can be used.

In the above embodiment, one slot cover is provided. However, a double cover may be provided. FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a modification of the electronic camera having a double lid. In this modification, the camera body 10
A concave portion 10d is formed in the side surface, and the same card slot 18a (not shown), 1 as in the first embodiment is formed in the concave portion 10d.
8b are provided, and the inner lid 902 is further provided in the recess 10d.
However, an outer lid 903 is provided to cover the recess 10d.

The inner cover 902 has a moving mechanism similar to that of the slot cover in the first embodiment.
It is slidable like Thus, the inner lid 902 can selectively expose one of the two card slots 18a and 18b. In addition, the outer lid 9
03 is provided with a hinge 903a at a side end thereof, whereby the outer lid is rotatable as shown by an arrow A8.
Attached to. A locking claw 903b is inserted at the other side end of the outer lid 903, and the locking claw 903b is inserted and locked at a position on the side of the camera body 10 corresponding to the locking claw 903b. A locking hole 10e is provided, and when the locking claw 903b and the locking hole 10e are aligned, the outer cover 90
3 is locked.

Here, the inner cover 902 corresponds to the cover in the present invention, and the openings of the card slots 18a and 18b correspond to a plurality of openings in the present invention. With such a configuration, when the memory card is loaded, the outer cover 903 is closed, so that the card slot exposed by the inner cover 902 is not exposed to the outside, and the loaded memory card is accidentally pulled out at the time of access. It's safe without any accidents. In addition, entry of dust and the like into the card slot can be prevented.

Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, a digital camera has been described as an example of an electronic device. However, the present invention is also applicable to a device having a plurality of card slots and exchanging electronic data by using the card slot, for example, a personal computer and a digital video. The invention is applicable.

[0101]

As described above, according to the present invention, at least one of the plurality of openings can be moved in the arrangement direction of the plurality of openings. The card loaded in the medium loading section with the opening is a card-type medium accessible to the electronic device, and the card loaded in the medium loading section with the exposed opening is provided. By making the card-type medium inaccessible to the electronic device, the card-type medium inaccessible to the electronic device and the card-type medium inaccessible to the electronic device can be easily identified, and the medium loaded with the opening is exposed. Since the unit cannot be accessed by electronic equipment, a card-type medium can be attached to and detached from the medium loading unit. If the electronic device is also accessible to the medium loading portion with the opening exposed, the card type medium having a portion protruding from the opening of the medium loading portion, such as a cable of a modem card, also has the opening exposed. It can be used by loading it into a medium loading section.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the detecting means for detecting the position of the lid is provided, the electronic device can recognize the medium loading portion with the opening exposed, and load the medium loading portion. By making the electronic device inaccessible to the card-type medium thus set, the hardware and software are not destroyed due to erroneous ejection of the card-type medium that can be accessed by the electronic device, which is safe.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a selective discharging means for selectively discharging a card-type medium loaded in a medium loading portion having an exposed opening among a plurality of medium loading portions. Only the card-type medium loaded in the medium loading portion with the opening exposed can be ejected, and the card-type medium being accessed is controlled by controlling the access of the electronic device to such a card-type medium. Since the medium is not ejected by mistake, the hardware and software are not destroyed and are safe.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the instruction of the discharge instruction means, the medium loading portion having the opening exposed is determined based on the position of the lid detected by the detection means. In addition, since the discharge mechanism corresponding to the medium loading unit is operated, it is not necessary to provide a discharge instruction unit in each of the plurality of medium loading units, so that manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the rear side showing an external configuration of the digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing how the slot cover moves in the digital camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a partial bottom view of the digital camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of the digital camera showing a relationship between an eject button and a card slot.

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view showing an ejection mechanism of a card slot.

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view showing an ejection mechanism of a card slot.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an internal structure for positioning a slot cover.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a state of a snap spring when opening and closing the slot cover.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a state of movement of a slot cover in the digital camera according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a cover position detection switch in the digital camera according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an ejection mechanism according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a digital camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a control procedure of a card-type medium removal process.

FIG. 17 is a view showing a state of movement of a slot cover in the digital camera according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a state of movement of a slot cover in the digital camera according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a cover position detection switch in the digital camera according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a state of movement of a slot cover in the digital camera according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a view showing a modification of the slot cover.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a modified example of an electronic camera having a double lid.

[Explanation of symbols]

1A to 1E Digital camera (electronic device) 18a, 18b, 18c Card slot (medium loading unit) 100 CPU (control means) 110 Cover position sensor (detection means) 112 Card type medium 121, 201, 301, 401, 501 Slot cover (Cover) 123 Eject button (ejection instruction means) 131 Eject lever 132 Driving force transmitting member 133 Eject lever 134 Rotating shaft 135 Card pressing member 202 Eject switch 203, 402 Cover position detection switch (detection means) 204a, 204b Eject lever 205a , 205b Motors 206a, 207a, 206b, 207b Gears OPa, OPb, OPc, OP Opening OAa, OAb Opening Area

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification FI FI Theme Court ゛ (Reference) H04N 101: 00 H04N 101: 00 (72) Inventor Hisanori Ito 2-chome Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka No. 13 Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Naohiko Hayashi 2-3-13 Azuchicho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shoichi Minato Osaka-shi, Osaka 2-13-13 Azuchicho, Ward F-term in Osaka International Building Minolta Co., Ltd. (Reference) 4E360 AB08 AB13 AB24 AB42 BA04 BA08 BB04 BC03 BC04 BC05 BD03 BD05 CA10 EA18 EC11 EC13 ED13 ED14 ED23 ED28 ED29 FA08 GA03 GA07 GA44 GB01 5B023 GA01 GA06 5B058 CA05 CA27 KA12 KA24 YA18 5C022 AA13 AB68 AC78 AC80

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An electronic device that realizes a predetermined function using electronic data, wherein a card-type medium is loaded through each of a plurality of openings arranged in a portion of the electronic device that can be reached from outside. A plurality of possible media loading portions, and at least one of the plurality of openings is movable in an arrangement direction of the opening arrangement including the plurality of openings.
An electronic device, comprising: a lid for selectively exposing one of the two. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit that detects a position of the lid. 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: selectively selecting a card-type medium loaded in the medium loading section having the opening exposed among the plurality of medium loading sections. An electronic device, comprising: a selective discharge unit that discharges to an electronic device. 4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the selective ejection unit includes an ejection instruction unit for instructing ejection of a card-type medium loaded in the plurality of medium loading units; It is provided corresponding to the medium loading section,
A plurality of ejection mechanisms for ejecting the card-type media loaded in each of the plurality of media loading units, and a position of the lid detected by the detection unit in accordance with an instruction of the ejection instruction unit, based on the position of the lid. An electronic apparatus comprising: a controller configured to determine the medium loading unit having an exposed opening and to operate the ejection mechanism corresponding to the medium loading unit.